Morphology and deep metazoan phylogeny

Deep metazoan phylogeny: when different genes tell different stories.

Molecular phylogenetic analyses have produced a plethora of controversial hypotheses regarding the patterns of diversification of non-bilaterian animals. To unravel the causes for the patterns of extreme inconsistencies at the base of the metazoan tree of life, we constructed a novel supermatrix containing 122 genes, enriched with non-bilaterian taxa. Comparative analyses of this supermatrix an...

Comparative Neuroanatomy of Mollusks and Nemerteans in the Context of Deep Metazoan Phylogeny

Morphology and placental mammal phylogeny.

In a recent article on placental mammal phylogeny (Springer et al., 2007), we discussed evidence for correlated character evolution among morphological characters. We also performed pseudoextinction analyses that assessed whether placental orders remained in the expected superordinal group (Afrotheria, Xenarthra, Euarchontoglires, Laurasiatheria) when molecular and soft-tissue data were coded a...

DNA and Morphology: Plant Phylogeny

helpful in identifying critical factors for population management. Tony Starfield (University of Minneapolis) described another population simulation model and showed how a different approach to modelling is required when many parameters and their ranges are unknown. Unlike engineering applications, models should not be used to seek optimal solutions, but instead to identify and minimize risks....

The deep evolution of metazoan microRNAs.

microRNAs (miRNAs) are approximately 22-nucleotide noncoding RNA regulatory genes that are key players in cellular differentiation and homeostasis. They might also play important roles in shaping metazoan macroevolution. Previous studies have shown that miRNAs are continuously being added to metazoan genomes through time, and, once integrated into gene regulatory networks, show only rare mutati...